This past fall I went to a social media conference for CEO’s and employees in the non-profit industry. I am active on several NPO (non-profit organizations) boards and thought this might be great way to support by attending and perhaps I would learn a thing or two.

Now I am definitely not a media expert (insert disclaimer), but participating in social media has had an enormous impact on driving site traffic and ultimately landing clients for my business.  However, I found it astonishing how little the conference attendees understood about the direct results of marketing your brand online.  People raised their hands and asked questions like…”Why would people care what I am doing via Twitter?” to ” Do people actually read this stuff?” and the worst…”What’s the point?”   I felt like I had to, and should, speak up about the ways it has helped me on the business side of DSE and try to relate it to the potential success of the NPO’s.  Facebook, Twitter and blogging are SO important to staying connected to your clients, vendors, potential clients…and the list goes on.

There is an entire generation connecting via these outlets and if the NPO’s want to stay fresh and current within our niche of potential clients it is imperative that we connect with them using every form of communication available.  I only wish I could have pulled up my Twitter account and Facebook show the group all of  the people I now know, that I never would have, if it were not for social networking.

I have to admit when I first signed up with Twitter, it seemed daunting. How would I have time to do this and manage clients? Or even, HOW do I do this?! It seemed like a chore to be tweeting through out the day but there are several applications for the phone and online that make it easier. I use Hootsuite quite a bit because I can manage my Twitter accounts as well as my Facebook pages on one screen. You can also schedule posts for the week so you have time to concentrate on your clients and not on your tweets.  I also downloaded TwitBird for the Iphone so I can tweet on the go from a photo shoot, site visit or networking event!

Since I was introduced the importance of blogging, tweeting and having a business Facebook page, by the lovely (and super smart) Leila from Be Inspired PR, (wedding PR extraordinaire) it seems appropriate to share her thoughts on social media. Here are Leila’s insights…

‘Facebook & Twitter are not simply social media outlets, they are essential tools businesses must use in order to grow and expand to their full potential. Social Media is not so much about what you say, but more so about what you are hearing; it is an intense, ongoing conversation among businesses, vendors, & clients. By using social media, businesses can listen and speak directly to clients, vendors & other businesses.

One of the most overlooked, but most powerful, features provided in Twitter is the “search” tool. Search.twitter.com is a fabulous way for people to really hear what others in the industry are saying in real time. By typing in keywords such as “wedding,” “floral,” “wedding dress,” etc., you are able to clue in on what clients, vendors, & other businesses are currently involved and concerned about. It can also assist in determining the most up-to-date industry trends & issues.’

Now the question is…what will you do to get involved with social media?